schmidt and c



J. E. SCHMIDT AND C. E. McARTHUR. APPARATUS ron AUTOMATICAULY coumoumc, STARTING, AND STOPPING FLUID COMPRESSORS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3. l9l9.

Patented Dec. 9,1919.-

3 $HEET$SHEET 1.

v and? 014. $5.;5W

o 8 7 1 M W J. E SCHMIDT AND C. E. McARTHUR. APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING, STARTING, AND STOPPING FLUID COMPRESSORS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8. I9I9.

J. E. SCHMIDT AND C. E. McARTHUR. APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING, STARTING, AND STOPPING FLUID COMPRESSORS. APPLICATION FILED mm. I919.

1,324,324. Patented Dec. 9,1919,

'3 SHEET$-SHEET 3- o aa g /63 O o d6 as Q 77 71 ii :II 7 1,. 76

EMF/25073.

rrnn srArns n rnuT ()FFICE.

' JOHN E. SCHMIDT AND CLYDE E, MCARTI-IUR, OF CHIGAGQILLINOIS.

APPARATUS non nu'roiiarrcnttr'conraottnve, srnnrnve, AND srorrnve FLUID- oorsrnnssons.

' Application filed February 8, 1919. Serial No. 275,689.

To all whom it mag concern .Be it known that we, JOHN E. SCHMIDT and CLYDE E. MoAiiTiiUn, citiZens oithe United States, and residents of the-city of Chicago, county otCook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Apparatus for Automatically Controlling, Starting, and Stopping FluidCo1npressors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in an automatic-mechanical-pneumatic controlling, starting and stopping device for air compressors, and all kinds of machinery which pump fluids of gaseous or liquid charactor, and it consists in certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, combination and operation'of the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

The principal object of theinvention 15 to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned general character, which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction, strong, durable, etlicient and positive in operation, and if desired can be readily appliedto or used in connection with the ordinary or well known type of fluid compressors or pumps, for. the purposes specified, which. have already been installed, and which have heretofore been controlled, started and stopped in the usual manner or by the commonly employed means, by substituting the new and improved apparatus therefor. Another object of the invention is to provide an automatically operating apparatus for controlling, starting and stopping fluid coinpressors or pumps, the main or governing portions of which can be located at any reasonable distance from the controlling boxes, drums or mechanism thereof, and which wi-llrequire practically no time or attention, but will effect a great saving in power and the time of employees. A further object is to provide the apparatus with automatic means for supplying water to the cooling systems of the compressors. or pumps, when they arerunningand require water, or to automatically shut 'it oii when they stop and do not require it. Still another object is to provide an apparatuses above set forth, which by reason of its novel and peculiar construction and arrangement of. its parts, is applicable for use inconnection with elect-really or mechanically operated compressors umps, roigthe pur- Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 191a.

poses specified. A further object is to provide an'apparatus which can be and ordi narily will be used to start the compressor to which it is applied gradually or bysteps, thus preventing too abrupt actions of the parts of the compressor. Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be disclosed in the following description and explanation:

In order to fully disclose the general application of our apparatus to the various well known starting and stopping mechanisms for compressors or pumps, we have shown in the accompanying drawings sevoral; types of such mechanisms operatively connected to the piston rod of the fluid controlled auxiliary cylinder of the apparatus, but of course, it will be understood that we do not make any claim to said mechanisms per se, and that it is unnecessary to fully illustrate or describe them.

In the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate an embodiment of the in vention t Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus showing parts thereof shortened for the convenience of illustration and j illustrating it operatively applied to the shaft of the drum type controller of a variable speed A. C. or D. C. motor. i

Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view of a portion of the support for the auxiliary cylinder and a part of the rack bar carried by the piston rod of said cylinder showing said rack bar in mesh with a gear on the shaft of said controller;

Fig; 3 is a greatly enlarged sectional view of one or" the three-we. I valves used in certain oi the pipes of. the apparatus;

Fig. i is a fragniental plan sectional view of the said rack bar showing it in mesh. with a gear connected to a controller'of the type used on an A. C. compensator for A. C. induction motor;

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a portion of the piston rod of the'auxiliary cylinder 7 showing it connected to the handle or lever of a starting and stopping box or controller of type used on a D. C. motor;

Fig. 6 is a like view showing a portion of said piston rod connected to a friction clutch mounted on a shaft for mechanically operating a compressor or pump; and

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing a portion of said piston rod connected to a belt isin its lowermost position.

shifter used in connection with a shaft employed for mechanically operating a compressor or pump.

Corresponding numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the different views of the drawings:

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an upright support or board frame which may be suitably mounted in any desired'location and serves as a support for the governing cylinder 11 mounted thereon, and for other parts of the apparatus. The cylinder 11 has at its upper portion an arm 12 to which is pivoted one end of a link 13, th other end of which is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 14, which is fulcrumed on the upper end of the piston rod or bar 15 of said cylinder and extends along the supporting frame 10 and has adjustably mounted on its free portion a weight 16 of any suitable size. The piston 17 of the cylinder 11 on the lower end of said rod, is provided at its upper portion with a plurality of depressions 18 usually and as shown in the form of spaced apart annular grooves, but which may be longitudinally alined spaced apart notches or depressions which are for the purpose of engaging a spring actuated pin or pawl 19 which is located in an orificed extension 20 on the wall of the cylinder 11 at a point to register with the uppermost depression 18 when the piston 17 7 As is clearly shown in the lower portion of Fig. 1 the pin or pawl 19 and its holder 20 on the auxiliary cylinder 21 (which pin and holder therefor are like those used onthe cylinder 11,) are equipped with a spring 22, which is nested in the outer end of the member 20, rests against the outer end of the pin 19 and has its tension regulated by a screw 23 engaging the outer end of said member. The inner end of the catch pin or pawl 19 is tapered so as to readily engag the depressions 18 in the piston and so as to be forced out of such engagement in the movement of the piston, Communicating with the lower end of the cylinder 11 is a branch pipe 2 united by a coupling to a main supply pipe 26 leading from a supply (not shown) of fluid under pressure, which fluid, such as compressed air, steam. gas or water or other liquid is discharged from the pump or compressor, not shown. 7

The auxiliary cylinder 21 may be suitably mounted on a frame 27 located near the ordinary controlling mechanism of the coinpressor or pump. which latter may be located at any suitable distance from the controlling cylinder 11 as before stated.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the auxiliary cylinder and the supporting frame .27 therefor are shown as being horizontally positioned and connected at one of its ends to the drum 28 of an ordinary controller of a variable speed A. C. or D. (1., current motor. The auxiliary cylinder 21 has located therein for reciprocation a piston 29 which, like the piston 17 in the cylinder 11 is provided with packing rings 30 and spaced apart depressions 18, of a similar construction and arrangement to those on the cylinder 11 and above described. Extended from the end of the piston 29 adjacent to the drum 28 is a piston rod 31 which has on its outer end a rack bar 32 which meshes with a gear 33 on the drum shaft 34 of said controller. The bar 33 may be held in mesh with the gear 3% by means of a roller 35 journaled on the frame 27 at a point to cause it to contact with the smooth face of said bar. At about its middle the cylinder is provided with an orificed extension 20 and a spring actuated pin or pawl 19 therein for the same purpose and of thesame construction as those used on the cylinder 11 and above described. The extension 20 on each of the said cylinders may be provided with an opening 35 to be used for the admission of lubricating oil to the interior of the cylinders, and said opening can be tightly closed by a screw lo- *ated in each of their outer ends.

As shown. the cylinder 21 has communicating with its end adjacent to the rack bar 32 a pipe 36 which is connected at its opposite end by means of a coupling 37 to the supply pipe 26 for fluid under pressure. The opposite or rear end of the cylinder 21 has communicating therewith one end of a pipe 38, the other end of which is connected by means of a coupling 39 to said supply pipe and by preference between the junctures therewith of the pipes 24 and 36. Leading from the supply pipe 26 and coupling 37 thereon is another pipe d0 which is connected to the unloading device of the compressor (not shown). Each of the pipes 36 38 and 4-0 is equipped thereon near the supply pipe 26, with a three-way valve 41, the casing 42 of which is provided with an extension 13 having an opening #14 therein for the receptionof a screw 15 which has its inner end tapered, see Fig. 3. Leading from the opening 1 1 is a port or exhaust opening 16 the size of the inner end of which can be regulated by turning the screw to in the proper direction. Each of the valves has an arm 17 to each of which is pivotally connected at one of its ends a rod or bar 48, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to the lever 1% as shown in Fig. 1 of the.

drawings. This lever also has pivotally connected thereto one end'of another red as, the other end of which is pivoted to an arm of a shut-off cock or valve 51 located in a pipe leading from a supply of water not shown) to the cooling system or water jacket of the compressor or pump.

In Fig. 4 is shown a means for connecting the rackfbar operated by the auxiliary cylinder to the controller of thetype used on an A. G.,compensator for A. C. induction'inotors, which consists in mounting a gear 53 to mesh'with the, racltbar, near the controller beast and connecting said fgearby means ofarod 55 to a handle 56 on armor handle 56'near its free end. By this arrangement it will beunder'stood that when the parts occupy the positions shown by continuous lines in Fig, 4 they Wlll bein their neutral positions, but when moved to the dottedline positions shownat 60they will be in their starting positions, and when further movedin the direction of the arrow to the dotted line position at 6l they Wlll be in the running position. g V l In Fig. 5 is shown a modification in the manner of connecting the piston rod 31 of the piston in the cylinder 21 to the ord nary controllingmechanism of a compressor (1n the'present instance of a type used on a D. 0. motor), which consists in omitting the rack bar and pivotally connecting to the front end of'said" piston rod one end of a link 62, the other end of whioh'is pivotally secured to the lever 63 of a starting and stopping box or rheostat '64 of thetype above mentioned. i

In Fig. 6 is shown a means for operatively oonnecting'the' apparatus to a mechanically operated compressor which cons sts 1n loosely connecting thefront end of the piston rod 31 of the auxiliary cylinder by means of a link 65 to the free end of a lever 66 pivoted at its other end toa su1table support 67. Thelever 66 engages a collar 68 ofa clutchof a well known form. By this arrangement it is evident that in the reciprocal movements of the piston rod-31 of our apparatus, thejsaid lever and the'mov: able parts of th clutch to which it is" connected will cause the shaft 69 on which the v clutch .is' mounted to rotate and drive the compressor or pump to which theshaft may be connected in any suitable way, or to stop the same.

In Fig. 7 we have shown the piston-rod 31 connected by a sleeve coupling 70 to the rod 71 of a belt shifter 72,-havingprongs 73 to stride the belt 74 so as tothrow the belt from one pulley 75 to another 76 in 4 While we have illustrated and described an embodiment of the invention in a form ofconstruction for carrying it into efiect, yet. this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. V] e, therefore, do not desire to be, limited to the precise details of the construction, location and arrangement of the parts as set forth and disclosed, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations, modifications, arrangements and locations of the parts as come within the scope of the appended claims.

From the foregoing and by reference to the drawings, it will be readily understood and clearly seen that the operation of the apparatus is simple, automatic, positive, efficient and 'as follows: 'Assuming that the parts are in the positions shown by continuous lines in Fig. Land thecompressor or machine which the apparatus controls, starts, and stops is in operation, and has been started by a charge or quantity of compressed fluid ledfrom the reservoir or source of supply therefor, through the supply pipe 26 and pipe 36 and acting with pressure against the front end of the piston 29 of the auxiliary cylinder, thus causing it to move rearwardly to the position shown, which movement will have been in steps, or with stops of short intervals, by reason of the engagement of the pawl 19 with the depressions 18 in said p'iston. It will be understood that the valves in the pipes 38 and 40 are closed to saidpipes, but have their exhausts 46 open, while the valve inthe pipe 36 is open to said pipe, besides'the shut-off valve in the water pipe 52 is open and said valves will remain in said positions until suflicient pressure accumulates in the supply pipe 26 and branch pipe 24 leading therefrom, to'raise the piston 17 of the governing cylinder 11 and its weighted lever. In the rearward movement of the piston 29 the fluid in the rear end of the cylinder 21 will be forced through the pipe 38 and exhausted through the port 46 of the valve thereimand the fluid from the unloading device of the compressorwill be exhausted through the pipe 40leading therefrom and the port 46 of its valve thus allowing'the compressor to without pressure resistance. Now, when the pressure in thesupply pipe 26 and branch pipe 24; is sufficient to raise the piston 17 in the governing cylinder 11, and its load,it is inanifestthat the pawl 19 on said cylinder willbe disengaged from the uppermost depression 18 therein by reason of'the movestart on what may be called a vacuum, or

be regulated to control the amount of pros- Sure necessary to raise the said piston and lever by adjusting the weight 16 on said lever. In the upward movement of said piston and lever the valves in the pipes 88 and 40 will be opened to said pipes, and the valves in the pipes 36 and 52 will be closed to said pipes. In the last aforesaid operation the fluid will be conducted from the supply pipe 26 through the pipe 38, in the reverse direction of the arrows, into the rear end of the auxiliary cylinder 21 and force the piston 29 thereof forwardly, thus causingthe rack-bar 32 to turn the gear 83 in the proper direction to stop the compressor or pump, or if other connections uniting-the piston rod 31 of the apparatus to the direct controlling mechanism of the machine in which the apparatus is used, is employed, particularly those shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, to move said mechanisms in the proper directions. It is apparent that the shutoff valve 51 in the water pipe will be closed in the upward movement of the piston 17 and lever 14:, thus shutting off the water to the cooling system when the machine is stopped, and water is not required. It is also obvious that the forward and rearward movement of the piston in the auxiliary cylinder and its connections with the direct controlling means of the compressor or pump will be automatically performed and repeated alternatively and indefinitely. Having thus fully described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a suitably mounted governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, co-acting means on the cylinder and the piston to check the movement of the latter by steps, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends, the said supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said pipes, a valve in each of said pipes, connections uniting said valves to said piston, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with a rod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, and co-acting means on the auxiliary cylinder and the piston therein to stop the movement of the piston at intervals. 7

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination With a suitably mounted governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder having a rod ex tended through the same, co-acting means on the cylinder and the piston to check the movement of the latter by steps, a lever .le elxiwes qt d to e. of t en t t cylinder and fulcrumed to said piston rod, an auxiliarycylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid supply, a valve ineach of said pipes, connections uniting said valves to. said lever, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with a rod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump opera- .tively connected to said rod, and co-acting means on the auxiliarycylinder and the piston therein to check the movement of the piston at intervals. V

3. In an apparatus for the class described, the combination with a suitably mounted governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder having a rod extended through the same, co-acting means on the cylinder and the piston to check the movement of the latter by steps, an adjustably weighted lever loosely connected at one of its ends to the cylinder and fulcrumed to said piston rod, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid supply, a valve in each of said pipes, connections uniting said valves to said lever, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with a rodextended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving thesame, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, and co-acting means on the auxiliary cylinder and the piston therein to checkthe movement of the piston at intervals.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a suitably mounted governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, co-acting means on the cylinder vand the piston to check the movement of the latterby steps, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said-fluid supply, a valve in each of said pipes, connections uniting said valves to said piston, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with a rod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means-for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, co-acting means on the auxiliary cylinder and the piston therein to stop the movement of the piston at intervals, a pipe connecting the said fluid supply with the unloading device of the'eompressor, a valve in said pipe and connections uniting said valve to saidpiston ofthe governing cylinder.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a suitably mounted governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinde j, lac

a piston in said cylinder having a rod extended through the same, co-acting means on the cylinder and the piston to check the movement of the latter by steps, a lever loosely connected at one of its ends to the cylinder and fulcrumed to said piston rod, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid supply, a valve in each of said pipes, connectionsuniting said valves to said lever, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with a rod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, co-acting means on the auxiliary cylinder and the piston I therein to check the movement of the piston at intervals, a pipe connecting the said fluid supply with the unloading deviceof the compressor, a valve in said pipe and a connection uniting said valve to said lever.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a suitably mounted governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, co-acting means on the cylinder and the piston to check the movement of the latter by steps, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid supply, a valve in each of said pipes, connections uniting said valves to said piston, a piston 1n the auxiliary cylinder provided with a rod extended through one end of itscylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump,-co-acting means on the auxiliary cylinder and the piston therein to stop the movement of the piston at intervals, a pipe connecting the said fluid supply wlth the unloading device of the compressor a valve in said pipe, connections, uniting 'sald valve to said governing piston, a pipe connecting a supply of water to the cooling system of the compressor or pump, a valve 1n said pipe and connections uniting said valve and the last named piston.

7. In an apparatus oi the class described, the combination with a suitably supported governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with sand cylrnder, a piston in said cylinder provlded w th a plurality of spaced apart depressions 1n ts wall, a spring actuated pawl on the cyllnder to engage said depressions, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid supply, a

valve in eachof said pipes and each having an exhaust port, connections uniting said valves and said piston, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder providediwith spaced apart depressions and a pistonrod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, and a spring actuated pawl on the auxiliary cylinder to engage the depressions on its piston.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a suitably supported governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder provided with a plurality of spaced apart depressions in its wall, a spring actuated pawl on the cylinder to engage said depressions, an auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid V supply, a valve in each of said pipes and each having an exhaust port, connections uniting said valves and said piston, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with spaced apart depressions and a piston rod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, and a spring actuated pawl on the auxiliary cylinder to engage the depressions in the piston thereof, a pipe connecting the said fluid supply with the unloading device of the compressor, a valve in said pipe having an exhaust port and connections uniting said valve to said piston of the governing cylinder.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination'with a suitably supported governing cylinder, a supply of fluid under pressure communicating with said cylinder, a piston in said cylinder provided with a. plurality of spaced apart depressions in its wall, a springactuated pawl on the cylinder to engage said depressions, an adjustably weighted lever loosely connected at one of its ends and fulcrumed to said piston rod, an

auxiliary cylinder having a pipe at each of its ends in communication with said fluid supply, a valve in each of said pipes and each having an exhaust port, connections uniting said valves and said lever, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder provided with spaced apart depressions and a piston rod extended through one end of its cylinder, a compressor or pump, a motor for driving the same, means for starting and stopping the compressor or pump operatively connected to said rod, a spring actuated pawl on the auxiliary cylinder to engage the depressions on the piston thereof, a pipe connecting the fluid supply with the unloading device of p the compressor, a valve in said pipe and having an exhaust port, and a connection uniting said valve to said lever.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names this 5th day of Febry, 1919, at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois.

JOHN E. SCHMIDT. CLYDE E. MoARTI-IUR. 

